Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Lived Experience Of Being A Mother Of A Child With Depression: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry, Maralou R. Brose

Theses and Graduate Projects

There have been few studies that have attempted to understand the world of parents raising a child with depression. This study introduces the magnitude of the problem of childhood depression and explores what it means to be the mother of an adolescent with depression. For this study, three mothers of adolescents wit.h depression were questioned interviews were in unstructured interviews. The taped transcribed, and the resulting texts were Four core themes were analyzed using a six-stage process. extracted-maternal role, support, and grief-and reveal_ed what it was family disequilibrium, like for mothers raising a child with depression. Hermeneutic phenomenology provided the …

Flavone: The Molecular And Mechanistic Study Of How A Simple Flavonoid Protects Dna From Oxidative Damage., Jennifer Dawn Dean

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dietary flavonoids are ubiquitous and are marketed as supplements. Characterized as antioxidants, they offer protection against a number of degenerative diseases. Flavonoid mechanics involve free radical scavenging, metal chelation, and substrate association. The skeletal structure of flavonoids is a fused ring system modified by hydroxyl, sugar, and carbohydrate additions. Flavone is a structurally simple flavonoid. Quercetin and its glycosidic analog rutin are complex structures. Using a DNA oxidation/cleavage assay, flavone reduces DNA nicking by 91%. Depending on the solvent system used, quercetin can either increase or decrease DNA oxidation. Rutin exhibits neither pro- nor antioxidant activity. The molecular interactions responsible …

The Role Of Erp57 In Hras Intracellular Trafficking And Function., Jaime Lyn Parman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ras is a central player in signal transduction that mediates cellular proliferation and differentiation. Recent evidence has shown that lipid and non-lipid modified domains participate in Ras traffic and that plasma membrane association is mediated by vectorial vesicular transport from the endomembrane system. ERp57, an ER chaperone, has been shown to specifically bind farnesylated Hras but not non-farnesylated Hras. The objective of this study was to determine if ERp57 participates in Ras trafficking and function. First, the effect of ERp57 knock down by siRNA technology on Hras function was studied; there was a reduction in ERp57 cellular levels that led …

Barriers To Domestic Violence Screening In The Emergency Department, Lisa Yonaka

Master's Projects

Are you in a relationship in which you're being abused? That is not an easy question to answer or ask. Identification of those who are victims of domestic violence is important to prevent further abuse and injury. The purpose of this non-experimental study was to determine barriers of Emergency Department Registered Nurses screening patients for domestic violence. 33 ED RNs completed a short anonymous questionnaire that was developed by Dr. Mary Lou Moore, Wake Forrest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The most significant barriers to screening identified, were the lack of education on how to ask questions about abuse, language barriers, …

Effect Of Background Synaptic Activity On Excitatory-Postsynaptic Potential-Spike Coupling, Veronika Zsiros

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Neurons receive large amount of synaptic inputs in vivo, which may impact the coupling between EPSPs and spikes. We mimicked the in vivo synaptic activity of the cell with the dynamic clamp system. We recorded from pyramidal cells in neocortical slices in vitro to investigate how timing and probability of spike generation in response to an EPSP is affected by background synaptic conductance under these conditions. We found that near threshold, background synaptic conductance improved the precision of spike timing by reducing the depolarization-related prolongation of the EPSP. In cells with ongoing spike activity and background synaptic conductances, an …

Occupational Therapy Job Satisfaction In The Geriatric Setting, Dawn Doctor

Masters Theses

This study examined the level of job satisfaction among occupational therapists working in the geriatric setting in the state of Michigan. The purpose of this study was to determine if burnout exists among occupational therapists working in a geriatric setting. Questionnaires from 29 therapists who work in a·geriatric setting were analyzed. The majority of the respondents reveled they are not burned out, but do report at least one sign of stress within their job. The most common forms of stress were treating difficult diagnoses, excessive paperwork, excessive caseload, increased productivity expectations, the lack of respect for occupational therapy, and the …

Understanding Occupational Therapy: Medical Doctors And Doctors Of Osteopath’S Knowledge About Occupational Therapy In An Acute Care Hospital, Shereen A. Metwalli

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to discover whether medical doctors (MD) and doctors of osteopath (DO) at two large hospitals in the Midwest have adequate knowledge about the roles and functions of occupational therapy, its services and benefits to patients and its implications on interdisciplinary team success. Increasing the knowledge in these three areas could influence occupational therapy referral rates and, as a result, impact the quality of patient care. This study used a descriptive survey to collect data from 55 physicians. Respondents acquired their knowledge of occupational therapy through secondary sources within informal sources of information. A statistically …

Data Analysis In The Antes System, Yavuz Tor

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that can be used as an indicator for the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Border Health Office, in University of Texas - Pan American, organizes screenings in schools for acanthosis nigricans. Screening results are, then, collected and evaluated in the Border Health Office. The ANTES System is a computer system that stores and manages the data collected in those screenings.

This study is on the analysis of those collected data to track the progress of data entry, to evaluate the progress on obesity and related problems, and to discover the …

The Relationship Between Childbirth Experience And Psychological Functioning In The Postpartum Period, Dena Dian Daniel

Student Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationships between the mother's perception of the birth experience, symptoms of the post-traumatic stress, and symptoms of postpartum depression. Sixty-seven participants ranging from 17 to 40 years of age completed a self-report questionnaire containing items from three instruments including the Perception of Birth Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Davidson Trauma Scale. The findings reveal a more negative perception of the birth experience is significantly related to a greater frequency and/or. severity of. post- traumatic stress and postpartum depression symptoms following childbirth., These findings support the conclusion that an …

Comparison Of Bracket Bond Strength By Total, Self-Etch And Laser Treatment, Kyo Sung Shawn Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Laser etching of enamel surfaces alters the physical and chemical characteristics of the enamel. These changes in characteristics enhance the bonding to enamel. The purpose of this study was to compare the shear and tensile bond strength of Er,Cr:YSGG hydrokinetic laser system (Biolase) with 37% phosphoric acid and self etching primer 30 minutes and 72 hours after bonding. Four different laser power output setting was observed: 1.5W, 2.0W, 2.5W, and 3.0W. Two hundred forty bovine teeth free of defect, caries, and dentin exposure were mounted in acrylic resin and divided into 24 groups of 10 teeth. Sixteen groups of 10 …

Healthcare Strategic Management: The Impact Of State And Federal Funding Levels On The Implementation Of Strategic Plans At Tennessee Hospitals., Randy Lee Byington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine hospital executive management’s perceptions of how turbulence in the politico-legal sector of the macroenvironment impacted the strategic management systems of Tennessee hospitals. In particular, how did Federal and State funding restrictions (Medicare and TennCare) impact the strategic planning and implementation process of their hospitals? The study was also designed to gain insight regarding specific changes to strategic management systems that may have resulted from these funding restrictions.

The research was conducted during April and May of 2003. Data were gathered by surveying the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of acute care hospitals in …

Antes: A Web-Based Acanthosis Nigricans And Other Obesity Related Information System, Chunyue Wang

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Acanthosis nigricans is a cutaneous marker associated with systemic disorders and may serve as an indicator for risk of Type 2 diabetes. Acanthosis nigricans screening can help identify children who have high insulin levels and who may be at-risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. The ANTES system is a computerization attempt for acanthosis nigricans control of the student population from elementary schools and secondary schools in Texas. A general description of the system and the medical and history background of the ANTES program is given. The technology applied to the system is demonstrated. An overview of the system operation status …

Clinical Effectiveness Of A Subperiosteal Anchorage Device, Monica Anne Witte

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a subperiosteal anchorage device, the palatal OnPlant™, during orthodontic retraction of protruding anterior teeth in cases requiring maxillary premolar extraction. Seven subjects (5 female, 2 male), ages 13 to 55, were selected for the study. The OnPlant was surgically placed in the mid-palatal region through a well-defined subperiosteal tunnel. Following the manufacturer recommended osseointegration period of four months, the OnPlant was uncovered and attached to the first molars by means of a transpalatal bar. Standard orthodontic treatment then commenced to retract the anterior teeth after the first …

A Bond Strength Comparison Of Led And Halogen Light Curing Units, John Richard Kavanagh

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this research was to compare the tensile bond strength of orthodontic flat based buttons bonded to bovine teeth with four commercial light-emitting diode (LED) curing lights and one conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) curing light.

The dental market has recently been introduced to a number of commercially available light-emitting diode (LED) curing lights. Tensile bond strength was evaluated for LED curing lights (Rembrandt® Allegro^TM, Den-Mat Corp, Santa Maria, CA), (LEDemetron, Kerr/Demetron Corp, Danbury, Conn), (Ortholux LED, 3M^TMESPE^TM, St. Paul, MN),and (FLASH-lite 1001, Discus Dental, Culver City, CA) are compared with one …

Dental Treatment Options For Snoring - A Pilot Study, Kainaz Khushrooh Byramjee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study compared the effectiveness of an anterior repositioning device, the Silent Nite®, to two new treatments in their ability to stop/reduce snoring. Comfort and side effects of each treatment were also evaluated.

Twenty-three subjects, in good medical condition along with their spouse/partner participated in the five-week study. A disposable sleep apnea screener, SleepStrip,™ was used to select only non-sleep apnea patients. The treatments tested were: (1) Silent Nite® (control - Treatment A), (2) Loma Linda Appliance (Treatment B), and (3) Snore Tape (Treatment C). Each participant received all three treatments separated by a one week "wash-out" period of no …

Measured Effects Of Rapid Palatal Expansion On Nasal Cavity Volume Utilizing Cbct, Jon Neal Robinson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and predict the expected changes that occur in the nasal cavity volume following rapid palatal expansion. Eighteen subjects (11 female, 7 male), ages 9 to 18, requiring rapid palatal expansion in conjunction with comprehensive orthodontic treatment, were selected for the study. Rapid palatal expansion was accomplished using the standard, banded hyrax appliance. Three-dimensional cone beam computed tomograms using the NewTom 9000™ were acquired before and after expansion. Serial coronal slices of the nasal cavity were made using the QV9000™ software program. The resultant serial images were imported into 3-D Doctor™ for analysis …

The Histological Effects Of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis On Rabbit Condyles, Eunice Jungmin Hong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study is a histological evaluation of condyles taken from rabbits that underwent either a midline or paramedian distraction osteogenesis procedure on the mandibles. Fifteen rabbits were originally operated on and eight of these fifteen successfully made it through both the distraction osteogenesis procedure and the 1 month holding period that followed. There was one control animal.

In the present study, the condyles from these nine rabbits (1 control, 2 midline distraction osteogenesis, 6 paramedian distraction osteogenesis) were prepared for histological evaluation (18 total). Step serial sections were cut along the coronal plane and the sections from the anterior …

Healing Following Placement Of A Subperiosteal Orthodontic Anchoring Device, Oliver Hoffmann

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: A method to accomplish orthodontic anchorage using a hydroxyapatite-coated disk that is placed below the periosteum in the mid-palatal area has been developed (OnPlant, Nobel Biocare, Yorba Linda, CA, USA). This report describes the early to 8-month healing events of the first 8 consecutive cases of placement of the OnPlant device at the Advanced Periodontics Clinic at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. In addition, it presents the results of a questionnaire on how the patients experienced the various procedures. A radiographic analysis of the side of placement of the device was performed.

Methods: At 2 weeks and at …

2001 Michigan Hospital Cqi/Tqm Study, Colleen L. Croxall

Wayne State University Dissertations

In recent years, there has been significant interest in the application of total quality management/continuous quality improvement (TQM/CQI) within health care organizations. The health care industry, in its quest to improve outcomes with fewer resources, began to look at CQI/TQM as a possible solution. To date, the most comprehensive and enthusiastic response to efforts to improve quality while containing or lowering costs is reflected in hospitals' commitment to continuous quality improvement/total quality management (CQI/TQM). The health care industry, particularly hospitals, has embraced the concepts of CQI/TQM with the belief that adoption will lead to an improvement in both the quality …

Effects Of A Supportive-Education Nursing Intervention On Quality Of Life In Patients With Heart Failure, Melodee L. Vanden Bosch

Masters Theses

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine the difference in quality of life (QOL) in home-care patients with heart failure (HF) receiving nursing intervention. The specific nursing intervention of interest was supportive-education (SE), based on Orem's (1995) self-care deficit theory. The second intervention of general health teaching acted as a placebo effect. The convenience sample of randomly assigned patients with HF was from two home-care agencies. The paired t-test was used to analyze the difference in QOL within the SE group and the placebo group from baseline to six months. The independent t-test was used to compare the …

The Comparative Effects Of 0.12% Chlorhexidine And An Herbal Oral Rinse On Dental Plaque-Induced Gingivitis, Elizabeth N. Southern

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse (CID{) and herbal rinse (HBR) to placebo, on gingival health status over time. Methods: 63 subjects (57% male, 43% female, mean age 25 years, sd=7.67) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups; CHX, HBR, or placebo. Subjects rinsed twice daily (AM and PM) with ½ ounce of allocated rinse, after brushing and flossing, for three months. Subjects were given the same type of soft bristle toothbrush and whitening toothpaste. Participants were advised to refrain from use of any other oral rinse for the duration …

Multiple Psychosocial Factors As Predictors In The Progression Of Hiv-1 To Aids, Robert Louis Dutile

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nearly 3.1 million individuals have died of AIDS as of December 2002 and more than 38.6 million individuals were identified as being infected with HIV (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AEDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (WHO) 2002). Psychoneuroimmunology is a discipline that increases our understanding of the relationships between psychosocial factors, the central nervous system, the immune system, and disease. From this perspective, this study reviews the biopsychosocial medical model and components of the stress-immunity-health (SET) model. The constructs of stress and social support are discussed and defined referencing current theory and research. In addition, physiological mechanisms of stress …

Intensive Care Medical Procedure : Ptsd Symptoms In Children, Ludmila Zaytsev

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Studies indicate that medical procedures may cause post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms (fear, avoidance, sleep disturbances, irritability, concentration difficulties. hypervigilance). It has been suggested that administration of midazolam hydrochloride, a sedative/amnesic medication commonly used in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU), may help decrease if not prevent the development of PTS symptoms. This study examined if PTS symptoms were related to procedural invasiveness (PI) and whether midazolam had a moderating effect on the development and intensity of PTS symptoms in children. English-speaking children ages 8-16 (N=20) who had been in the PICU for at least 3 days were recruited at Loma …

Effects Of Various Hemostatic Agents On Bone, David Daryl Roland

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Previous studies have evaluated the effects of various hemostatic agents on radicular tissues following apical surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the early osseous responses to seven hemostatic agents under identical conditions in rabbits. Sixteen adult male New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. Following anesthesia, utilizing a midline submandibular incision, standardized bony defects were prepared on the lateral-superior regions of the mandible. Test materials were placed using standardized volumes and exposure times. Bone wax, Surgicel, Capset, alginate, Cut-Trol, Hemogin-L, and silver nitrate were compared to control sites irrigated with saline. Test materials or controls …

The Radiopacity Of 29 Resin Restorative Materials Compared To Enamel, Peter Lubisich Iv

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The radiodensity of a composite resin can greatly influence a clinician's ability to analyze a restoration for failure. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative radiopacities of 29 resin restorative materials compared to enamel, and to verify the comparable radiopacity between shades of 23 of the restorative composite resin materials. Composite resin discs measuring >5mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were made and polymerized. Radiographs were taken of the composite resin discs, which included an aluminum step wedge for calibration and a densitometer was used to measure the radiodensity of the composite resin samples. The …

Prediction Of Fetal Sheep Brain Metabolic Rate During Hypoxia And Cord Occlusion, Adam D. Hickerson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many investigators have observed that fetal and neonatal animals are remarkably tolerant to hypoxia compared to the adult. The precise mechanisms however are still unclear. In order to better characterize the hemodynamic and metabolic responses of the fetal brain to hypoxic stress, we have designed a mathematical model to predict tissue oxygenation and metabolic rate of the fetal brain during both moderate hypoxia and severe asphyxia.

The model is based on the Krogh cylinder concept and is similar to one previously published by our lab. Several new concepts were added including the ability to run the model over time using …

Synovial Fluid Hydrostatic Pressure In The Tmj After Mandibular Advancement In Sus Scrofa, Samuel A. Demirdji

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mandibular advancement is performed in patients routinely by traditional bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) or less commonly by distraction osteogenesis (DO). The influence of mandibular advancement on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is well recognized but not fully explored. This study involved the direct measurement of synovial fluid hydrostatic pressure (SFHP) in the TMJ after mandibular advancement by either BSSO or DO in two male mature minipigs, Sus scrofa. Titanium pressure transducers were inserted into the right superior temporomandibular joint spaces of the minipigs and the measurements were displayed on an AC/DC amplifier. The first minipig underwent BSSO, which involved immediate …

Validation Of A Serotonin Checklist In A Parkinson’S Disease Population, Kelly Diane Darby-Holder

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although the distinctive pathological marker of Parkinson’s Disease is the progressive death of neurons that produce dopamine, there are also alterations in the production of quantities of other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin that contribute to the disease. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can be divided into two distinct classes based on the manifestation of motor symptoms, Type A and Type B Parkinson’s Disease. Type B PD patients often manifest symptoms in which serotonin deficiency plays an important role, which often includes a history of depression. Within the brain and spinal cord serotonin has wide spread projections, acting as an important …

Quantification Of Bone Deposition In Onlay Bone Grafting, Gregory Alan Kammeyer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate; 1) mandibular posterior mono-cortical block onlay bone graft success rates 2) the amount of grafted bone retained after initial resorption in radiographic projections. Seven consecutive patients with 14 mandibular posterior implant sites requiring bone augmentation for implants of a standard 3.8mm x 10mm dimension were sought. Mono-cortical block bone grafts from the ipsilateral ascending ramus were placed then observed with two standardized CT scans, dividing them into two groups: Group A had the first CT at 4 weeks after graft placement and a second taken before Prosthodontic reconstruction, 36.7 weeks later. …

Radiation Effects On Dopamine-Mediated Prepulse Inhibition In The C57bl/6 Mouse, Cara Nicole Zuccarelli Miller

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examined the effects of proton and gamma radiation on a dopamine-dependent sensory gating mechanism: prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex. The purpose of this research was to describe potential hazards of proton radiation to the central nervous system in long-term space fight and for proton therapy patients. Results from previous research indicate that startle behavior is modified by proton and iron radiation. Forty-eight 10-½ week old, male C57BL/6 mice were used to characterize the optimal parameters for the model (prepulse duration, probe duration, and stimulus-onset-asynchrony). Three hundred and fifty two mice were used to characterize the time course …